Quantum Science and Quantum Information

TN-MI-219

The quantum world is full of magic: particles can be in two different states at the same time, they influence each other instantaneously even when they are light years apart. The fascination for quantum physics lies in its magic and in its potential. Quantum mechanics imposes fundamental limits on the precision with which we can measure values of physical quantities.
A world which is so vastly different from the one we experience in our daily lives offers functionalities which go far beyond those offered by classical physics. One such functionality is fully safe communication, another is the quantum computer. The limitations manifest themselves in detectors: here a challenge is to reach the uncertainty limit imposed by quantum mechanics.

This minor introduces you to the quantum world and unveils its spectacular potential and its fascinating limitations. Instead of relying on daily life experience, you sometimes dive into a mathematical description which leads to outcomes via reasoning that even experts find hard to understand.

I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics.

R. P. Feynman, Nobel Laureate of Physics

There is a vibrant community of scientists and engineers at TU Delft working on quantum technologies, who will help you to unravel the magical world of quantum physics.
Auxiliary fields such as mathematics, computer science and electrical engineering are covered, always with an eye to their application within quantum science and information. In a group project at the end of the minor you will work on applications in quantum technology, concerning software or hardware.

For whom?

Participation in the QSQI minor is open to students from BSc programmes (Applied) Physics, Electrical Engineering, (Applied) Mathematics, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering at Delft University of Technology and other universities.

The minor is open for Astronomy students as well. 
Molecular Science & Technology can (only) participate after successfully completing the Quantum Chemistry and Physics, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations,  and Theoretical Chemistry courses of the major Materials.

This minor programme requires your full commitment. It should be completed within one academic year.
If you hold one of the mentioned bachelor degrees, this minor will give you direct admission to the joint TU Delft and Leiden University MSc programme Quantum Information Science and Technology

Attention please: 
This minor is challenging and requires your willingness to work hard. We strongly recommend that you have obtained an average mark for the calculus and algebra courses in your BSc programme that is above 7. This minor should be completed within one academic year. In order to be prepared before the minor, it is required that students have completed and have good knowledge of high school Physics. During the minor students without a bachelor in Physics will take TN3136 Quantum Physics. Check the study guide of TN3136 for expected prior knowledge.

What will you learn

The laws of quantum mechanics, which describe the behaviour of nature at the atomic scale,
include fascinating concepts such as superposition and entanglement that we are not familiar with in our macroscopic world. In the last two decades, through ground-breaking research and engineering, it has become possible to employ these laws to manipulate and control particles at the quantum level in such a way that they can be used for developing entirely new applications: quantum technologies.

The goal of this minor is to make you familiar with developments in the field of quantum science, quantum technology and with practical applications arising from research in this multidisciplinary field, such as quantum computers and quantum networks.

The minor programme begins with covering the fundamental knowledge you will need from mathematics, quantum mechanics and computer science. After this, you dive into learning about modern quantum technologies, in particular hardware platforms for realizing qubits, quantum communication protocols, and quantum sensing and measurements. In a team project at the end of the minor you will work on applications in quantum technology, involving hardware or software. 

Course overview

Register for this minor

  • TU Delft students (CS, EE, TN, TW): via tudelft.nl/minors and Registration procedure/deadlines for TU Delft students.
  • Molecular Science & Technology (major Materials) students using the form ‘Request for approval of self-composed minor’. Contact Arno Haket, Minor-QSQI-TNW@tudelft.nl.
  • Students from other Dutch universities should register at TU Delft via Studielink (an additional registration alongside your own study programme). Choose study programme ‘Minor at Applied Physics’ / ‘Minor bij opleiding Technische Natuurkunde’. Read more via Registration procedure and deadlines for LEI and EUR students.
    This will create a TU Delft login account which you can use to sign up for the minor QSQI.
  • Students from foreign universities should register as an exchange student.

Contact

If you have any questions about the programme, please do not hesitate to contact the minor coordinator.